Sunday, July 27, 2014

Friday, July 25, 2014

Six fine young men arrived at Devil Pup camp on Thursday morning, July 24. All got checked in and assigned to platoons. We know they were looking forward to hair cuts as a first order of business!! If we get any updates from Devil Pup camp, we will post them here, but they are usually too busy to spend time reporting.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Tonight - 0115 at the Theater parking lot on Main. Ready, future Devil Pups???? Get some naps today! You can also get some sleep in the van on the way down - you won't get another chance until Thursday night. Early breakfast in Barstow is about half way. We wish you well - we know you'll have fun (at least some of the time).

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Pups, because of a few calls I have been receiving the last few days, I am sending out the gear guide for camp so everyone has a copy just in case you lost yours. It is typed below. (Look carefully and pack very carefully ---only items on the guide.) Also please learn from Pups from years past.Remember sunscreen; it is often forgotten but is VERY necessary.Go over your ready bag/duffle two or three times to make sure you have everything.Duct tape with your last name on it on the sides and inside the bag.Your paddle lock, envelopes, etc.Make sure you have your envelope with your $40.00 folded in your left back pocket.We leave on Thursday 24 July at 0130 at the parking lot of the movie theater on Main Street (Megaplex Theaters at 905 So. Main).So Marine Corps time would be???..............yup! 0110.So here's what you should do to be there on time, happy and ready to go have fun fun fun!Wednesday get some rest.... sleep from 600 p.m. till you wake up at midnight (of the morning of the 24th). WE SHIP OUT DURING THE NIGHT BETWEEN WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY MORNING. (Some pup candidates have set three alarm clocks so they wake up and don't miss things.)Then shower, shave and grab a small snack and your bag. Then wake up mom, dad and be ready to meet at 0110 at the debarkation point. (Theater on Main Street)I will be there at 0100.Just so you know, at 0120 we have our final good byes to mom and dad, prayer, load the bus and at exactly 0130 we drive out of the parking lot and hit the freeway. If you’re there at 0131, you miss the bus.Be careful, sleep/rest, eat right, and be ready to go.Col. Toole and myself will be waiting to see all of your smiling faces.PACKING LIST:As far as outer clothing is concerned, bring only your informal travel clothes. Upon arrival you will be issued T-shirts for daily wear. The arrival uniform dress is blue jeans and a solid white T-Shirt. Skinny jeans or cut offs are not acceptable.In Your Bag:Encampment Supply List of Needed ItemsTowels, large two (2)Flashlight & batteries one each (1)Toothbrush, toothpaste, chapstick one each (1)Hand Soap and Deodorant one each (1)Shaving gear (if needed) one each (1)Blue jeans (regular, NOT skinny) four (4)Trouser belt one (1)Underwear ten pairs (10)Socks, heavy thickness ten pairs (10)Sunscreen or sun block one (1)Boots, hiking grade* (wear them in) one pair (1)Shoes, tennis, for physical training one pair (1)Shoes, clog or flip flops, for shower one pair (1)Padlock, combination style one (1)Stationary, envelope & stamp one box (1) (Pre-address the envelope to your parents)Pens, writing two (1)Sweat pants one (1)Sweatshirt with a hood one (1)Swim Suit one (1)Mole Skin (for blisters) two packs (2)(You will have no required expenses at Camp Pendleton.)Be sure to bring a snack and bottle of water for the bus ride to camp.*Note:1.) The Devil Pups hooded sweatshirt can only be purchased online at the Devil Pups Store. (Optional purchase.)2.) Do not bring "new" shoes to camp. Shoes should fit properly, cover the ankle, and should be well broken in before camp.Please do not bring these Items:Cell Phones (any type), Computers, Computer Games, Digital Toys, Televisions, Radios, iPods, Cameras, Video Cameras and other such gear requiring batteries or electricity. These items are not allowed and will be taken and stored with your luggage and returned upon departure from the base.As we have mentioned before, you can leave your cell phone with me as we arrive at Camp Pendleton. I will keep them over the time you are at camp and return them to you immediately after graduation ceremonies when you MEET PARENTS AND LRS IN FRONT OF THE REVIEWING STAND.Parents, there will be opportunities before and after graduation to purchase photos and memorabilia of your child’s camp experience. There are huge framed photos of the entire increment, unframed photos of various sizes, and various kinds of keepsakes available under tents on the parade ground.That is all.Chaplain Stephen Handy

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Parents and Pups. Please remember that you are to meet at the reviewing stand immediately after graduation is over. Not only will you have a hard time finding your family in the crowd if you don't have a designated meeting place, but you will miss out on photo ops. Since we want lots of photos for memories, please everyone meet in front of the reviewing stand. Can't miss it - it's in the middle of the bleacher area. Last, but first in importance, Steve Handy and Col. Toole need to know that each pup has been collected by family/friends so no one is left without a ride home. No matter how tired you are, how hungry you are or how anxious to go to the beach (again), PLEASE MEET IN FRONT OF THE REVIEWING STAND immediately after graduation.

Saturday, July 5, 2014

A parents-and-pup candidates meeting will be on Tuesday (July 8) at the city library in St. George, downstairs in room B. The time is 6:30 p.m. This will be the final
“ask-questions-get-answers” meeting for the parents. Great information will be shared at this
event. Pup candidates and parents need
to attend this important meeting. We
will also be working on last-minute changes to the SRB booklets. There are lots
of little mistakes, changes and additions to these important documents.

Also, we would like the pup candidates to wear what they
think they should wear to go to camp.*
Please note that pup candidates are to wear tennies to camp, not your hiking
boots. Please also bring a combination lock and the empty bag you plan to use
for camp. Check the packing list on
the Devil Pups website or brochure.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

This
Saturday
at 0730 (July 5) at the Dixie AFJROTC building, Lt. Col. Toole and
Steve Handy will be testing pup candidates Cutner and Wright for their
final PFT.

Also
a parents and pup candidates meeting will be on Tuesday next week (July 8) at
the city library in St. George, downstairs in room B. This will be the final
“ask-questions-get-answers” meeting for the parents. Great information
will be shared at this event. Pup candidates and parents need to attend
this important meeting. We will also be working on last minute changes to
the SRB booklets. There are lots of little mistakes, changes and additions to
these important documents.

Also, pup candidates are to wear what they think they should have on to go to
camp. Please note that pup candidates are to wear tennies to camp, not
hiking boots. Please also bring a combination lock and the empty bag you plan
to use for camp. Check the stuff to go list on the Devil Pups website or
brochure.

DEVIL PUP FORMS

What is Devil Pups?

Devil Pups is an non-profit organization designed to help boys and girls from all backgrounds gain self-confidence and learn to take responsibility for their actions. Devil Pups is not a Marine Corps sponsored program. The program is not a “mini boot camp” para-military or recruiting organization for the Marine Corps. Encampment Commanders are employees of Devil Pups, Inc. Devil Pups Web Site

TESTIMONIALS

From the parent of a 2011 Devil Pup sent from St. George:

Mark was in Platoon 4 last year in August.I am writing to say I would like to donate $100.00 to help a candidate go to camp this year.In case you’re curious, Mark is still on track.Doing great in school, volunteering and showing great leadership in school and at home.Here are a few pictures of Mark at his first ROTC competition earlier this year, Mark was the only one in the whole squad (including his squad leader) that the inspector could not find anything to call him out on.We all held our breath as the inspector reviewed Mark for an extended period of time trying to find something out of place.Then, reluctantly, the inspector congratulated Mark and moved on to the next cadet.We were so proud of him and were reminded that day that his confidence and discipline were also part of what he brought home from camp last year.As we come upon a year now in August, he is still showing the Devil Pups DVD to his peers and family, discussing things he learned and appreciated about going to camp.Actually, as a family we all learned a lot last year, we bonded through the camp experience and learned how to better support Mark with his goals.We gained understanding of Mark's determination and watched him transform into an even more responsible and determined young man in just 10 days time.Thank you again, for all you did last year and all you do for the Devil Pup program.

From a father and doctor in San Diego: We can't thank your organization enough for what you did for our son. What took place in 10 days is nothing short of a miracle. Our son had low self-esteem and his response to anything was "I can't." He wouldn't try riding a skateboard, wouldn't do his homework and he was constantly late for school. His GPA was 1.5. When he returned from Devil Pups the following took place: - He asked us to buy him a skateboard - he now rides every day. - He took up surfing, is up every day at 5 a.m. to surf before school. - He joined the high school cross [country] team and is now bringing home trophies . . . . this is from a kid who would have nothing to do with sports. We sent you a defeated kid and you returned us a beautiful, courageous young man.

Unsolicited letter excerpts from a 2010 16 year old Devil Pup named Emily [in her words]: Devil Pups is not for everyone, it takes a certain person who is willing to step out of their comfort zone and do things that most people never even have the opportunity to try. . . . Do not think this camp was easy, there was never a time where I was not putting all I had into whatever I was doing. Every event was nerve-racking and scary; we all learned that 'pain is weakness leaving the body' and learned to live by it. . . . At Devil Pups, things are done that are not part of ones every day life. Whether it is climbing the 35-foot ladder to jump the 35-foot drop, or running 5-1/2 miles in the deep sand, it takes a certain pup to succeed. Many new virtues are obtained through this program, virtues including integrity, courage, teamwork, endurance, decisiveness, and judgment. After climbing Ole Smokey and completing the Marine Corps obstacle course, I have been able to see that there really is no "I" in "team." . . . Through Devil Pups I have learned that one does not go somewhere hoping to succeed, but brings success with them because it is bread within them. . . . Many do not make it to the day all pups are awaiting, graduation day. To graduate from this ten-day program, the only way out is to 'train or go home.' There are no mistakes made, if one occurs, the phone is picked up and mommy is called. Devil Pups taught me, if you do whatever is supposed to be done, the way it is supposed to be done, then there is no such thing as failure. Because of the Devil Pups program, the word 'failure' no longer exists in my vocabulary. . . . Devil Pups helped me to become a better leader and build my own confidence and self esteem. . . . A winner is able to make a mistake and say, "I was wrong" when a loser makes a mistake and casually says, "It was not my fault." . . . Devil Pups motto, "Growth Through Challenge" truly depicts what a great program it really is. Its main goal is to give young children ages 14-17 the leadership and courage building skills to accomplish anything they want in life. . . . The Devil Pups program has showed me that I truly can do or be whatever I want as long as I am willing to work hard. Nothing great comes easy; one must work hard for the things that are important to them in life.

I can tell you that the lessons learned during my time with the Pups helped in providing a strong foundation for my future endeavors. Building character is one of the greatest attributes of the Devil Pup experience. It is character that is the core of the individual; it will determine the type of human being that will go out into the world.

Now to nurture this quality in 14 to 17 year olds is no easy task I assure you, as I have had the experience of having worked with young people for the better part of my professional career. However, the Devil Pups have been able to cull the knowledge of its members, incorporate the discipline of the Marines, to create a program of excellence for the youth of today. Developing strong leadership skills has long been a focal point of the Devil Pups organization... and it will remain so, because this organization realizes the importance of good leaders. It isn’t that these young people are molded into what we feel they should be. Instead, the Devil Pups gives them the confidence to believe in themselves, and their ideas. Our society has benefited, in more ways than what I have mentioned here because of the Devil Pup organization. Their impact is undeniable on the lives of the individuals that were fortunate enough to take part. I am certainly beholden to this organization for their efforts